The short answer: when your .com is taken, first check whether it's really in use and when it expires. If it is, the quickest fixes are the same name in another extension, a short word in front or after (get, try, hq), or a slightly different spelling. Pick one that still passes the radio test: someone who hears it once can type it.
Your options when a domain is taken
| Option | Example | Good when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Another extension | acme.co, acme.io, acme.app | You're building a tech product and your audience knows the extension | People typing .com out of habit, and a .com owner with the same name in your market |
| A word in front | getacme.com, tryacme.com | You want a .com now and the plain name later | Long or awkward combinations |
| A word after | acmehq.com, acmeapp.com | The name describes a product, team or studio | Suffixes that suggest a different kind of business |
| Another spelling | acmes.com, acme-studio.com | The change is small and easy to say | Spellings people won't guess when they hear the name |
| Buy the taken one | Make an offer for acme.com | It's parked or listed for sale | High prices for short or popular words |
| Wait for it to drop | Watch acme.com until it's released | It's past its expiry date | Most expiring names are renewed or caught by others |
How to pick between alternatives
- Say it out loud. If you have to spell it for people, it'll cost you visitors.
- Check who owns the original. A different extension of an active company's name can send their customers to you and invite a trademark complaint. The domain owner lookup shows who it's registered with.
- Check the extension's price. Some extensions cost far more to renew than to register, and .ai has a two-year minimum.
- Keep the first choice in view. If the taken domain is expiring, see when it could drop with the expiry and drop-date checker.
If you'd rather buy the original, read how to buy a domain that's already taken. If it's expiring, read how to get notified when a domain becomes available.
FAQ
What should I do if the domain name I want is taken?
Check whether the owner is actually using it and when it expires. If it's in use, try the same name in another extension, add a short word like get or hq, or change the spelling slightly. If it's parked or expiring, you can make an offer or watch it until it drops.
Is it bad to use a prefix like get or try?
No. Plenty of companies started on names like getdropbox.com and moved to the plain .com later. A prefix is fine as long as the name is still easy to say and spell. Avoid adding words that change the meaning.
Should I use .co or .io instead of .com?
They work, especially for tech products, but some people will type .com out of habit and end up on someone else's site. If the .com is an active business with the same name, a different extension can also cause trademark trouble.
Are hyphens in domain names a bad idea?
They're harder to say out loud and easy to forget, so a hyphenated name usually works best as a backup that redirects to your main domain, not as the name you print on everything.
Does 'available' here mean I can register it?
It means the registry has no registration for it, checked live over RDAP. A few available names are premium or reserved, with a higher price, so confirm the price at your registrar before you rely on it.
Can I buy the taken domain instead?
Sometimes. If the domain is parked or for sale, you can contact the owner or use a broker. Our guide to buying a domain that's already taken covers offers, brokers and escrow.